Frank Ruse, LCSW, LISW-CP

Frank Ruse is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of practice experience. He uses a down-to-earth style and a sense of humor to help people facing addiction, anxiety, stress, trauma, and related struggles. Frank emphasizes meeting people where they are and working together to make progress.

Frank's work centers on practical, evidence-informed methods that people can use day to day. He draws on client-centered ways of working to listen closely and follow each person's pace. He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors in straightforward steps.

Clients can expect direct conversation about goals and small tasks to try between sessions. Frank blends ideas from existential and trauma-focused approaches to help people find meaning and manage painful memories. Motivational interviewing is used when someone wants change but feels unsure how to start.

He has long experience helping people with substance use and related issues, and he also supports those coping with grief, relationship and parenting strain, work stress, sleep and eating concerns, and questions about life purpose. Frank notes caregiver stress, first responder and veteran issues among areas he addresses.

Sessions are practical and focused on real-life problems. Frank will share clear expectations about what to try, what progress might look like, and how to adjust the plan. He aims to make therapy less intimidating and more useful for everyday living.

How Frank’s approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and following the client's lead. Online sessions using this approach let the therapist and client build trust and work at a pace that feels comfortable, which helps with issues like anxiety and relationship stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions, and then tests small changes. Delivered remotely, CBT can use brief exercises, homework tasks, and concrete goal-setting to address addiction cravings, sleep or eating patterns, and mood changes.

Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change when they feel stuck. In remote work this looks like careful, supportive conversation that clarifies goals and next steps without pressure.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapy process. Frank will work collaboratively with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences, and he will adjust the plan as progress is made.

The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, or offering flexible scheduling around work and caregiving demands.